The Marriage Bargain - ENGLOT

Chapter 35 : Day 12 - 15

Cadence's POV:

Day 12

I woke up to the sound of Emory's ragged breathing. Concerned, I reached out to touch her forehead, only to pull my hand back with a start. She was burning up with a fever. Panic started to set in as I realized that she must have caught a cold or something. We had both gone through so much stress last night and with all the drinking, it's not impossible for her immune system to be compromised.

I sat up in bed, my mind racing with what I needed to do. First things first, I needed to make sure that Emory was as comfortable as possible. Gently, I brushed her hair off her forehead and tenderly wiped the sweat from her face.

I could see that she was still asleep - her breathing shallow and labored. I knew that I had to do something to bring her temperature down. Frowning, I went to the bathroom and checked to see if we have anything to help with her fever. I found some clean cloths in the cabinet and decided that it will do for now.

I started by cleaning her face and chest with a damp cloth, making sure her fever wasn't worsening. Then I gently placed another damp cloth on her forehead and control the temperature of the room. She had been in a comfortable blanket, keeping her from chills and I slowly brought down the temperature of the air-conditioning to help Emory feel better.

I stayed with her, watching over her, making sure that she was all right. I needed to be strong for her because she needed me now more than ever. And although I wasn't sure what we'll be when she wakes up, I knew that in this moment, I had a duty to care for her. The one thing that was clear, no matter what happened between us, I will be here when she needs me, especially when she needs me.

...

I can't help but yawn for the umpteenth time as I sit beside the bed, my eyes half-closed. Emory's fever hasn't worsened but also didn't get better so I sit there and watch her, It's exhausting, but I can't leave her alone when she's like this.

But my body's so tired, and I can feel myself drifting off, my head slowly dropping lower and lower. And before I know it, I'm asleep.

I don't know how long I've been unconscious, but I wake up to the sound of Emory coughing, her body trembling with each spasm. Immediately, I snap out of my daze and lean in closer to check on her.

"Hey, hey, Emory, are you okay?" I murmur, my hand instantly reaching out to touch the now warm cloth on her heated forehead.

She looks up at me, her eyes glassy with fever and her lips trembling. "Cadence," she whispers, her voice hoarse. "I feel so sick."

"I know, I know," I say, my heart clenching with worry. "You caught a fever, But I'm here. I'm not gonna leave you alone."

I try to give her a small, reassuring smile even though I'm not sure how convincing it is.

I wet the washcloth with cool water and lay it on her forehead, and she closes her eyes, sighing in relief.

For the next hour or so, I stay awake, watching Emory sleep fitfully and occasionally cough. But gradually, her breathing evens out, and she seems to be resting more comfortably.

It's only then that I allow myself to close my eyes again, sitting there beside her, my hand resting on her arm. I tell myself that I'll only sleep for a minute, just enough to rest my eyes a little bit.

But I must have miscalculated the time because when I open my eyes again, sunlight is streaming in through the window, and I see that Emory is asleep, her face calm and peaceful.

I stand up slowly, feeling stiff and achy from sleeping in a chair. I stretch my arms and legs, trying to get the circulation going again.

Then I lean down and brush a strand of hair away from Emory's forehead, feeling a surge of tenderness for her. "Still warm." I murmur, a frown etching my features.